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With reference to the concept of Food Chain, consider the following statements:
1. Species at higher trophic levels appear to be progressively more efficient in using their available food supply.
2. The relative loss of energy due to respiration is progressively greater for higher trophic levels.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
  • a)
    1 only
  • b)
    2 only
  • c)
    Both 1 and 2
  • d)
    Neither 1 nor 2
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
With reference to the concept of Food Chain, consider the following s...
The correct answer is Both 1 and 2.
Key-Points
  • Lindeman in 1942 pointed out a series of generalizations about the relationships between trophic levels within normal ecosystems.
  • The main ones are:
    • the more remote an organism is from its initial source of energy the less probable that it will be dependent only on the preceding trophic level as a source of energy (that is, species) and above tend to be generalists rather than specialists in terms of feeding habit.
    • the relative loss of energy due to respiration is progressively greater for higher trophic levels. Hence statement 2 is correct.
    • species at higher trophic levels appear to be progressively more efficient in using their available food supply, because increased activity by predators increases their chances of encountering suitable prey species, and in general predators are less specific than their prey in food preferences. Hence statement 1 is correct.
    • Higher trophic levels tend to be less discrete than lower ones
    • Food chains tend to be reasonably short.
      • Four vertical links is a common maximum.
    • Hence both the statements are correct.
Additional Information
  • Energy Flow Through an Ecosystem – Trophic Levels
    • A trophic level is the representation of energy flow in an ecosystem.
    • The trophic level of an organism is the position it occupies in a food chain.
    • Trophic level interaction deals with how the members of an ecosystem are connected based on nutritional needs.
    • Energy flows through the trophic levels from producers to subsequent trophic levels is unidirectional.
    • Energy level decreases from the first trophic level upwards due to loss of energy in the form of heat at each trophic level.
    • This energy loss at each trophic level is quite significant. Hence there are usually not more than four-five trophic levels (beyond this, the energy available is negligible to support an organism).
  • The trophic level interaction involves three concepts namely
    • Food Chain
    • Food Web
    • Ecological Pyramids
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Most Upvoted Answer
With reference to the concept of Food Chain, consider the following s...
Explanation:

The food chain is a sequence of organisms in which each organism feeds on the one below it. It shows the transfer of energy and nutrients through various trophic levels. The given statements are related to the efficiency of energy transfer and loss in a food chain.

Statement 1: Species at higher trophic levels appear to be progressively more efficient in using their available food supply.

This statement is correct. As we move up the food chain, the trophic levels represent different feeding positions. The organisms at higher trophic levels, such as tertiary consumers, are generally larger and more complex. They have higher metabolic rates and energy requirements. These organisms have evolved efficient digestive systems and feeding strategies to extract the maximum amount of energy from their food. They are able to convert a larger proportion of the energy they consume into biomass. Therefore, they are more efficient in using their available food supply compared to organisms at lower trophic levels.

Statement 2: The relative loss of energy due to respiration is progressively greater for higher trophic levels.

This statement is also correct. As energy flows through a food chain, a significant amount of energy is lost at each trophic level. The energy loss occurs mainly through respiration, which is the process by which organisms release energy from food. Organisms at higher trophic levels have higher metabolic rates and thus require more energy for their physiological functions. As a result, they respire more and lose a greater proportion of energy as heat. This leads to a relative increase in energy loss with each trophic level.

Conclusion:

Both statements are correct. Organisms at higher trophic levels are more efficient in using their available food supply, but they also experience a greater relative loss of energy due to respiration. This is an important aspect of energy flow and efficiency in a food chain.
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With reference to the concept of Food Chain, consider the following statements:1. Species at higher trophic levels appear to be progressively more efficient in using their available food supply.2. The relative loss of energy due to respiration is progressively greater for higher trophic levels.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?a)1 onlyb)2 onlyc)Both 1 and 2d)Neither 1 nor 2Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
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